The Gregorian Mass is a series of thirty Masses offered up on thirty consecutive days for the repose of a particular person in Purgatory.

This pious custom is based on a tradition started after Pope Saint Gregory the Great, having been moved with compassion for the soul of a scandalized monk, called for 30 days of consecutive Masses to be said for him.

Pope Gregory said, “Ever since the moment of his death, our brother has been tortured in the flames of Purgatory. Through Charity let us make an effort to deliver him.”  The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was then offered for thirty days.

After the 30 Masses had been offered, Gregory was visited by the deceased monk who spoke to him saying, “Bless God, my dear brother.  Today I am delivered and admitted into the Society of the Saints.”

Since that time the pious custom of celebrating thirty Masses for the dead has been established.  The hallowed tradition has been declared “a pious and reasonable belief of the Faithful on the Authority of the Sacred Roman Congregation on Indulgences.”

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the highest act of reparation, the highest form of prayer. It is the summit of our Faith. St. John Chrysostom says:

“Christ is the victim that gives solace to the dead.”

Remember, there is no greater pain or suffering on earth than what the souls in Purgatory experience. Their suffering is NOT the physical fire we know on earth.
They suffer from the LOSS of the sight of God. Once the soul sees God it cannot bear to be apart from Him. So their loss is the loss of not being with Him. It is a “burning” desire and longing for God which far surpasses the heat of any earthly fire. And so we rightly speak of the cleansing fires of Purgatory. It is an “interior” burning or “thirst” for God. They saw the face of God, and they are unable to be with Him.
“God! God! I must be with God!” is their constant Cry.

A number of people have inquired about Gregorian Masses offered for their beloved deceased.  In the Saint Louis area, parish priests find that the parish intentions they must attend to are usually too numerous to allow them to make Gregorian Masses available.  The Carmelite Nuns are acquainted with some very fine priests in poor countries who have no Mass stipends and would be very glad for the opportunity of offering these Masses.

If you are interested in having Gregorian Masses offered for someone who has died, please call the Monastery Front Desk at (314) 377-4116.